Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion
Encyclopedia
Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion is a 2011 book by journalist Janet Reitman that examines the Church of Scientology
. Reitman, a contributing editor
for Rolling Stone
, began studying the church in 2005. She published an article in Rolling Stone about Scientology the next year and continued her research for five years.
The book covers the history of Scientology and discusses prominent Scientologists such as L. Ron Hubbard
and Tom Cruise
. It details the church's business model
under the leadership of David Miscavige
. It also describes Scientology controversies, such as the Death of Lisa McPherson. However, the book devotes very little attention to the church's theology.
After its release the book was criticized by the Church of Scientology. A spokesperson for the church alleged that the book was poorly researched and contained numerous inaccuracies. Reitman disputed their claims, maintaining that she did extensive research.
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
. Reitman, a contributing editor
Contributing editor
A contributing editor is a magazine job title that varies in responsibilities. Most often, a contributing editor is a freelancer who has proven ability and readership draw. The contributing editor regularly contributes articles to the publication but does not actually edit articles, and the title...
for Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
, began studying the church in 2005. She published an article in Rolling Stone about Scientology the next year and continued her research for five years.
The book covers the history of Scientology and discusses prominent Scientologists such as L. Ron Hubbard
L. Ron Hubbard
Lafayette Ronald Hubbard , better known as L. Ron Hubbard , was an American pulp fiction author and religious leader who founded the Church of Scientology...
and Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
. It details the church's business model
Business model
A business model describes the rationale of how an organization creates, delivers, and captures value...
under the leadership of David Miscavige
David Miscavige
David Miscavige is the leader of the Church of Scientology and affiliated organizations. His title is Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center , a corporation that controls the trademarked names and symbols of Dianetics and Scientology. Miscavige was an assistant to Hubbard while a...
. It also describes Scientology controversies, such as the Death of Lisa McPherson. However, the book devotes very little attention to the church's theology.
After its release the book was criticized by the Church of Scientology. A spokesperson for the church alleged that the book was poorly researched and contained numerous inaccuracies. Reitman disputed their claims, maintaining that she did extensive research.